missionary work. After a fruitless visit to Tasmania, made in the hope of composing his differences with the bishop, he went to Sydney in 1847 and was made priest in charge at Windsor. Return to Tasmania In September 1848 he was again in Hobart, and remained for five years, much occupied with matters relating to the disputes over the finances. Later life Early in 1854 he returned to Sydney and in May 1856 again took up parish work at St Augustine's, Balmain. He seems to have had by now considerable private means, as in August 1856 he gave £2000 to the fund for the completion of the cathedral. Many friendless men had left their small belongings to him, and land granted to him in the early days had become valuable. In 1858 he was raised to the dignity of archpriest, a rank today known as vicar capitular. He enjoyed intellectual pursuits such as speculation on how to build a transatlantic telegraph. On 25 May 1864 he died after a few hours illness, working to the last day of his life. Therry has two Sydney schools named after him, one in Balmain (FJT School Balmain) and another in Campbelltown. Personal Papers The papers of Rev John Joseph Therry are held by the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, donated by the Jesuit Fathers in 1968. The papers comprise correspondence with colonial authorities, clergy papers, petitions from individuals including convicts and their families, marriage records, diaries, sermons and speeches. References Further reading Gwynn, Aubrey (1924). Father John Joseph Therry : founder of the Church in Australia. Dublin: Irish Messenger Office Sources Biography J.J. Eddy, John Joseph Therry - pioneer priest, Journal of the Australian Catholic Historical Society 1 (3) (1964), 1-14. 1790 births 1864 deaths 19th-century Australian Roman Catholic priests Burials at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney Alumni of Carlow College 19th-century Irish Roman Catholic priests